Floods kill three in Nasarawa
No fewer than three persons were said to have lost their lives and several houses destroyed following a downpour in the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Our correspondent in Lafia learnt that one person was also declared missing after the floods washed various crops away from farmlands. The communities affected by the downpour were Adage, Yalwata, Akura, Uga, Gidan Buba, Gidan Buba and the Uga bridge.
Fake policeman with DIG’s letterhead, pistol remanded
A 29-year-old unemployed man, Sammar Abdurasak, has been remanded in Kirikiri prison by an Ikeja magistrates’ court, after he pleaded guilty to impersonating a police officer.
The prosecutor, Donjor Perezi, told the court that a police patrol team caught Abdulrazak when they responded to a distress call.
He added that when they got to the scene, they found the accused wearing a police uniform and beating up a man.
Militants invade Lagos, Ogun communities, unleash mayhem
Pandemonium ensued in some communities in Lagos and Ogun states as suspected militants unleashed mayhem on several residents in an orgy of violence that lasted for hours. The bandana-wearing militants, who were reportedly more than 100, carried out series of attacks on houses in the Elepete and Kajola areas of Ogun State, and the Igbo Olomu community of Ikorodu, Lagos State. Both the Lagos and Ogun communities are adjoining.
19 die in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash
No fewer than 19 people have been reported dead in a multiple crash at the Fidiwo/Ajebo end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. PUNCH Metro gathered that the accident involved a fully loaded commercial bus, a fuel tanker and a Dangote truck. It was learnt that the tanker, which was travelling to Ibadan, Oyo State, had attempted to overtake the Dangote truck, when it had a head-on collision with the commercial bus.
Soldiers kill three kidnappers in Bauchi
Soldiers of the 33 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Bauchi State, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued three women held captive in a forest in the Ningi Local Government Area of the state. Speaking to newsmen at the Shadawanka Army Barracks, Bauchi, on Sunday, the Commander, Operation Flush Ningi, Major Boyi Uba, said the soldiers, attached to the council, received an intelligence report that gunmen had abducted three women in the area around 2pm and escaped into the forest.
Kids branded witches escape lynching in C’River
TWO kids were on Friday rescued at Ikot-Abasi-Effiom community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State by a Calabar-based child’s rights organisation, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative. The group was in the community to screen a movie titled ‘‘The Fake Prophet’ when its attention was drawn to the fate of the boy.
A village source, Sunday Nta, disclosed that the two kids, aged 10 and seven, were about to be lynched by members of a church at Ikot-Abasi-Effiom, when the group, acting on a tip-off, rescued him.
7,000 A’Ibom youths jostle for 1,000 tax jobs
APPROXIMATELY 7,000 youths of Akwa-Ibom State are reportedly in a hot scramble for only 1,000 placements in a tax consultancy firm engaged by the state government. Managing Director of Romflex Nigeria Limited, Mr. Eyo Bassey, disclosed this in Uyo, while addressing the Appropriation and Finance Committee of the state House of Assembly on the operations of his tax consultancy firm, recently hired by the state government.
Salary arrears: Ekiti applies for FG’s fresh bail-out
Civil servants in Ekiti State may have cause to smile soon, as the state government has applied for the bail-out recently introduced by the Federal Government. This, according to the state government would complement its efforts at prudently managing the resources of the state to meet the expectations of all Ekiti people.
Gunmen behead APC chief in Rivers
Some gunmen in military uniforms have killed a former Councillor of Ward 1, in the Abua/Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Allain John-Morrison.
John-Morrison, who was also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, was ambushed while heading towards the Ahoada area on a motorcycle on Tuesday. PUNCH Metro learnt that the killers had trailed the victim to a lonely place around Okobuo village before beheading him.
Doctors’ strike claims fire victim at UBTH
A fire victim, Mrs. Margaret Edobor, has died at the accident and emergency ward of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, following the nationwide strike by resident doctors. It was gathered that the late Edobor died from an infection at about 2:30pm on Tuesday. The 65-year-old mother of seven was said to have been admitted a month ago but could not continue her treatment when the Association of Resident Doctors commenced the strike on Monday.
Bauchi teachers besiege SUBEB over unpaid 8 months salaries
ANGRY teachers across the 20 Local Government Areas of Bauchi State, yesterday, stormed the state Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, protesting eight months unpaid salaries and other benefits. The teachers, who stormed the SUBEB’s office on Ran road early in the morning displaying placards with various inscriptions and demanding payment of their entitlements, disrupted operations at SUBEB while it lasted.
FG sacks striking resident doctors
Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has directed Chief Medical Directors, CMDs, and medical directors, MDs, of federal government tertiary health institutions to fill the vacancies created by resident doctors who have “abandoned” their training programme. Apparently disturbed by the directive by the Federal Government to the various teaching hospitals to replace the resident doctors, the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has agreed to suspend its strike at a meeting with other health sector stakeholders on Tuesday.
Again, suspected herdsmen kill 13 in Benue
THREE days after Governor Samuel Ortom met with stakeholders from Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local government areas to deliberate on ways to tackle the incessant Fulani attacks, unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in the early hours of Wednesday raided four villages and killed 13 persons in two local government areas of Logo and Ukum in the state. According to our correspondent, this is the third attack between last Saturday and Sunday this week, where 59 persons were killed in the area.
Militants kidnap five expatriates, kill driver in Calabar
At least five expatriates and two Nigerians were on Wednesday kidnapped at the Idundu area of the Calabar-Oban Road by suspected militants. The incident happened at about 6am when the foreigners and their Nigerian colleagues, working for MacMahon Construction Company, were on their way to work. The construction firm is located at the Mfamosing Plant of the United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Drop threat to bomb Abia, Ohanaeze youths tell NDA
OHANAEZE Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, has warned Niger Delta Avengers against threat to bomb Abia State, saying that there is no IPOB/MASSOB member being detained in the State as alleged by the Avengers. They called on the Avengers to embrace dialogue and allow peace to reign for the good of the people of Niger Delta. In a statement signed by Israel Ogbonnaya and Chetachi Ikpe, Abia state chairman and the State secretary of the council, respectively, Ohaneze youths said, “we also call on the Niger Delta Avengers to sheathe their sword and drop threat to bomb and attack Abia state and other Niger Delta states.
Abducted Otukpo Catholic Vicar found dead
The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, who was kidnapped about three months ago, Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, has been found dead at Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. The decomposing body of Adeyi was found behind the office complex of Ogbadibo Local Government Education Authority by the search party combing the entire Benue South zone for him.
Lagos seals 30 illegal patent medicine stores, pharmacies
The Lagos State Ministry of Health said yesterday that it had sealed 30 illegal patent medicine stores and pharmacies in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. It also seized fake drugs from the stores worth millions of naira. Dr Olufemi Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, disclosed this while reviewing the report of the recent raids by the Taskforce on Fake, Counterfeit and Unwholesome Processed Foods.
Sales girl raped, killed in Delta
A sales girl, simply identified as “Yellow,” has been bludgeoned to death after she was raped. It was gathered that her assailants attacked her inside the building material store where she worked at Afiesere community, Ughelli, Delta State. Her lifeless body was discovered at about 5p.m. on Tuesday, by her employer who came to the shop, following reports that the shop had not been opened for business all day, only to discover her lifeless body.
Ex-policeman, guards arrested for alleged burglary
The police in Ogun State have arrested an ex-policeman, identified only as Tunde, and two security guards of Flour Mills Nigeria Limited, over alleged burglary. It was learnt that the guards, simply identified as Sulaiman and Ola, manned the firm’s new site at Araromi Orita village in Atan, Ado Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state. PUNCH Metro gathered that the guards were employed by the company on Tunde’s recommendation.
Workers chase away FUNNAB VC, others with charms
Some non-academic staff of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, on Thursday occupied the frontage of the varsity’s Senate building, protesting against some policies of the institution. PUNCH Metro gathered that the workers chased away the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, and some other academic staff, with charms.
The workers, under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee, reportedly began the protest on Tuesday.
Ijaw youths invade Murray-Bruce’s Bayelsa radio station
There was rancour in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Thursday, following an armed invasion of Rhythm FM radio station, owned by Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, by some members of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide. The angry youth, who stormed the studio in buses and other vehicles, were after two executive members of the IYC and guests of a live radio programme, Talk of the Town, anchored by Lishman Onisodemuya.
Soldiers kill one in Imo over N350, 000
The oil-rich Etekwuru community in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of Imo has been thrown into mourning, following the alleged brutal killing of a young man by some soldiers attached to the area. The victim, Declan Obi (26) was allegedly sent to the great beyond following the invitation of the soldiers by his master, Evans Njemanze (36), to investigate him over suspected financial dishonesty. Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the hapless Declan, who until his death was a seller of soft drinks (Coca-Cola products), was after the day’s business, asked by his master to give account of the proceeds realised from the day’s sales.
Policeman shot by soldier in clash over relief materials in Borno
THERE was tension at Borno State Government House and its environs, following shootout between military and police personnel in the premises.It was gathered that a soldier allegedly shot a police officer in the foot near the Deputy Governor’s office, venue of the distribution of relief materials for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Maiduguri.
N-DELTA: New militant group emerges, demands sovereign state
President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent efforts to bring succour to the crisis ravaged oil rich Niger Delta region may witness yet another hindrance as a new militant group, Asawana Deadly Force of Niger Delta, ADFND, emerged, yesterday, in the region, threatening to cripple the oil industry across the nine Niger Delta states unless the Federal Government grants them, “Niger Delta Republic in the next couple of days.”
Police kill robbery kingpin, Onye Army, in Aba shootout
Police in Aba, Abia State, have shot dead a robbery and kidnapping kingpin, who had been terrorising the city. The robber, popularly called Onye Army, was shot dead near the Good Morning Market area after his gang had robbed a victim of N3.5 million, which he withdrew from one of the new generation banks along Azikiwe Road.
Manufacturers decry harsh business environment
MANUFACTURERS in the country, yesterday, decried the harsh business operating environment declaring that the current business outlook in the country was frightening. Operating on the platform of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employer’s Federation, CANMPEF, made up of 97 firms, the manufacturers group called on government to immediately put measures in place to encourage business before thing degenerated further..
NURHI donates vehicle, generator to IbSW LG, OSPHDA
IN order to improve family planning services at the grassroots level in Oyo State, the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) has donated a vehicle to the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area and a generator to the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (OSPHDA).
Speaking during the handover, the Project Director of NURHI, Dr (Mrs) Mojisola Odeku, commended Ibadan South-West Local Government Area for its efforts in promoting family planning in the locality.
520 benefit from Ganduje’s economic empowerment programme
The Kano State government has launched the first phase of the Ganduje Mass Economic Empowerment Programme (G – MEEP), covering 520 women and youths from across the state. The beneficiaries were presented with grinding and sewing machines, spaghetti making tools, Masa/Kosai fryers and a working capital of N5, 000 each. Ten beneficiaries were drawn from each of the 36 local government areas while 20 were selected from the eight metropolitan local councils.
Akamkpa community laments neglect as govt assures of intervention
The people of Nfamosing community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State have lamented marginalisation and neglect by the United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM), now Lafarge Holcim, and other companies operating in the community, in terms of employment and provision of social amenities.
Their grouse is that the cement company and others operating in the community had reneged on their Corporate Social Responsibility by not engaging natives of the community to work in their companies.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Sierra Leone News: Lack of funding may derail implementation of Sierra Leone’s progressive land policy
Some six months after cabinet approved the national land policy, there are fears that its ground-breaking provisions may not see the light of day, soon or at all. This year, the government allocated the sum of Le 3.1 billion (about US$ 492,000) in its annual budget to the Ministry of Lands to “support land planning and management and the “execution of the national land policy”. Five months into the year, the ministry has not received any money from this allocation for land policy implementation. Over the years, many government institutions have consistently complained that budget allocations do not translate into actual monies received, as they routinely are able to access only a fraction of allocated public funds, often belatedly. This practice can throw even the best laid plans into disarray.
Education Ministry to undertake major infrastructural projects
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) –The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is to undertake a number of infrastructural development projects during the 2016/2017 academic year. Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Ruel Reid, said a total of 24 early-childhood and primary institutions will benefit from infrastructure upgrade valued at $38.6 million.
Forex: J$126.23 to one US dollar
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican dollar on Thursday, June 23, ended trading at J$126.23, up by four cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily foreign exchange trading summary. Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended trading at J$99.19, up from J$98.69, while the British pound sterling ended trading at J$184.68, up from J$184.42.
JPS gets $50-m grant for Smart LED Streetlight Project
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) today announced that the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) last week signed an agreement granting the company more than J$50Million towards its Smart LED Streetlight Project. The grant will be used to provide technical support for the project, which will include the conversion of 105,000 streetlights across Jamaica – from the use of traditional High Pressure Sodium bulbs to Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, JPS said in a release.
$40-m market for Port Maria
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — A modern $40-million market is to be constructed in Port Maria, St Mary, this financial year. This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie during his contribution to the 2016/17 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 22. He noted that the two-storey facility will be built at the location of the present Port Maria Market. It will house approximately 70 vendors on the first floor, while the second floor will facilitate business spaces for entrepreneurs.
Govt rules out Randification
Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has ruled out the use of the South African rand as the sole official trading unit, saying Government did not intend to adopt a single currency, but would maintain the multi-currency regime. Minister Chinamasa said the rand was already in the multi-currency basket, hence it had to be used like any other units. He was presenting a ministerial statement on the state of the economy and the pending introduction of bond notes.
President briefs 3 incoming envoys
President Mugabe yesterday told three incoming diplomats that Zimbabwe had a lot of space and investment opportunities, which foreign countries can capitalise on through mutual cooperation. The three diplomats from India, Serbia and Ireland were enlightened on the investment opportunities when they presented their credentials to President Mugabe at State House. Serbia’s new ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bozin Nikolic, said his country was keen to forge cooperation in various areas such as information and communication technology.
